HARRISBURG dSfik TELEGRAPH
LXXXVI— No. 84 22 PAGES
• RAIDERS OFF U. S. COAST;
GERMANS BLOW UP SHIP;
RUSH WAR PREPARATIONS
HOLD SHIPS
BECAUSE OF
SEA RAIDERS
German Commerce Destroyers Sighted Off Nantucket and
the Virginia Capes; American Cruisers in Hot Pursuit of
Enemy Craft; Merchantment Told to Remain in Port Until
Further Notice; Warned by Wireless.
\\ ashington, April 7. —Reports of German commerce raiders oft
Atlantic ports were flashed along the seaboard to-day and all ship
ping practically was tied up while naval patrols went out to estab
lish the identity of mysterious ships reported near the lanes. It
w as the first breath of war at the doors of America and it sent a
thrill through the country.
Ihe first report came from Nantucket light vessel which saw
a strange ship passing west at / .20 o clock this morning and promptly
reported it to the Boston navy yard and the Navy Department.
Destroyer flotillas are at sea in the vicinity and presumably they
heard the wireless warning which swept the coast line and set out
to locate the mysterious craft. Meanwhile shipping was warned
not to venture out.
Soon afterward a report of a raider off the Virginia capes came
from Hampton Roads where shipping also was held in port while
armed craft went to sea to investigate.
1 Expect Many Reports I
Navy officials expect many reports!
of raiders while the sea coast is at
high tension and many such prob-1
ably will turn out to be unoffending i
tramps. No precautions are being!
overlooked, however, and the naval •
patrol is on the alert to examine all |
strange ships.
Officials considered it would be!
strange for a raider to venture so j
close to ports which are known to be
guarded. They would expect a raider I
to lie off at sea on the edges of the I
shipping lanes instead of venturing i
close enough to shore to be observed
arfd reported.
It was considered not improbable!
that the wireless warnings caused by !
the mysterious shir- passing N'antuck
et were heard all along the coast and !
might be responsible for other reports j
of a commerce raider lying in wait, j
Raider Officially Reported
Off the Virginia Capes
By Associated Press
Newport News, Va., April 7. The '
presence of a German raider oft tho
Virginia capes was officially reported
here to-day. A sea-going tug has i
been dispatched to sea to warn all
outgoing and incoming vessels and to!
order all outgoing vessels to turn!
back. The tug is equipped with wire- !
less and is expected to reach all ships!
in the danger zone.
Captain Scofield, of the American!
steamer Mattoa, now loading here,
stated that the master of the tug call- |
ed on him as he was passing out about I
9:30 a. m., and ordered him to re-!
main in the harbor until further no
tice.
Elks Will Turn Their
Home Over to Government
Tt was announced this morning that •
the Harrisburg Eodge of Elks will j
turn its building over to the Govern
ment and that every member pledged !
his loyal support to the President. I
ITHE WEATHER!
For HurrlMburff nml vicinity* Fair,
continued cool to-iilht and prob
ably Sunday, heromlnff unmet* 1
tied by Sunday nlichts lowe*t I
temperature about 30 decree* to
night.
For lOaMtern Fennwyl van la i Fair,
continued eool to-niuht and prob
ably Sunday, becoming; unnettled
by Sunday nlffbtt ntronic north
went ulndn, dlmlnlfthlnff.
Hlver
The lower portion* of tle North
and Went brnnclieM and the iimln
river will rlne nlowly. The Juni
ata, Upper North and Upper Went
branches and their tributaries
will fall to-nlftht and Sunday. A
Mtafce of about 8.5 feet IN Indicat
ed for Harrlsburir Sunday morn-
In*.
General Condition*
The ntorm 1* now central* over
\ew Rwcland, moving Mlowly
northeantwnrd. It ha* decreaned
Nomewhat In energy. I<li(la( to
moderate rain* and *now have
fallen In the I'pper Ohio Valley
and from the l.nke Region eaat
ward to the Atlantic coast.
Temperaturei 8 a. m., 40.
Sunt RlneM, a. m.
Moon* Full moon, April 7.
River Stages K.O feet above low
water mark.
Yewterday'a Weather
lllghet temperature, 44.
lowe*t temperature, 87.
Mean temperature, 40.
AiurjUAl temperature, 47 i
Warning of Commerce Destroyer! Flashed to Hold Ships Safely in Pert
First Alarm Sounded
When Supposed Raider
. Looms Up Out of Fog
By Associated Press
i Newport, R. j., April 7. The first
i a 'urm of the German-American war
: was sounded off the New England
! coast to-day.
i before 8 a. in. the Nantucket
i shoals lightship flashed to the naval
radio station here that a German com
! merce raider had passed the light ship
I bound west. Instantly plans of the
j navy for iust such a situation became
| operative and while they were not dis
closed there was assurance that if the
j audacious warship held her course she
; would be given a warm reception.
Meantime shipping in the vicinity
j was warned to make port or hold its
i anchorage. The weather was thick
| off the coast and it was not expected
j that the stranger would be sighted
i again until she was at close quarters
, with some vessel of the coast patrol
fleet.
I.ooms Out of For:
I ft was at 7:40 o'clock that the war
painted craft loomed out of the fog
| some fifty miles south of Nantucket
Island and about 85 miles east of
| Newport. She was directly in the lane
;tor westbound shipping and not more
| than 200 miles by the usual course
from New York.
The supposed raider showed two
masts and a huge smokestack. She
appearing to be of übout 10,000 tons
and some shipping men who heard
this description expressed the opinion
that she was an armored cruiser dis
guised as a merchantman. A few
minutes after she was picked up the
vessel was lost again in the fog.
In Shipping Distance
Nantuc ket lightship, the outpost for
westbound shipping, is anchored 45
miles east by south of Nantucket
Island and 90 miles east of Newport.
It is 193 miles east of Ambrose chan
nel lightship, at the entrance to New
York harbor, and marks the turning
point for westbound craft heading in
for Newport and New York.
The raider was holding the regula
tion course and would have been with
in easy striking distance of outward
bound shipping. However, so far as
known no vessels were moving out
past the shoals at the time the hostile
ship was sighted. .
Railroaders Vie With
Each Other in Patriotism
Friendly rivalry among shopmen of
the Pennsylvania Railroad is bring
ing about an unusual display of pa
triotism. In the various siiops the
employes are striving to outdo each
other In a display of flags. To date
a total of S7OO has been expended for
decorations.
The employes have on display every
thing in the way of a flag from a 3x5
to a 12x15. The decorations include
thousands of small flags, fastened to
the machinery and placed about the
work befiches. flags are also
flying between tho various bulldng*.
Plans are under way for a hlg flag
raising next week. A pole will be
erected between the shops at Iteily
street.
WHEAT MAItKEST WILD
By Associated Press
Chicago. April 7.—The appearance of
a supposed German sea-raider follow
ed by a pessimistic government crop
report caused wild fluctuations in the
wheat, market here to-day. May wheat
sold at 212, 6 to 6% cents higher than
the previous close. Opening sales were
made at 207% to 206%. The appear
ance of tho raider caus'ed a drop to
204%. Tehn, on the crop report, quota
tions made a leap to 212.
HARRISBURG, PA..SATURDAY EVENING, APRIL 7, .1917
YOU'RE RIGHT ON THE JOB
1
| IN A MINUTE [
GERMAN WARSHIP
IS BLOWN UP IN
AMERICAN PORT
Crew Destroys Gunboat Rather
Than Surrender It to Fed
eral Authorities
By Associated Press
Washington, April 7. The in
terned German gunboat Cormorant at
Guam has been blown up.
The Cormorant refused to syrrender
to the American forces which went to
take possession of her and was de
stroyed by her crew. Two German
warrant officers and five enlisted men
of the crew yere killed In the ex
plosion.
Twenty officers, twelve warrant of
ficers and 321 enlisted men were taken
prisoners.
Itofused to Surrender
The Navy Department's announce
ment said:
"The interned German cruiser Cor
morant at Guam refused to surrender,
[Continued on Page 3]
GERMAN ALLIES
TO BREAK WITH
U. S. IS REPORT
| Passports Said to Be Ready For
American Embassies in
Central Europe
By Associated Press
London, April 7. Passports have
been placed at the disposal of the
American embassy in Vienna, accord
ing to a dispatch to the Exchange Tele
graph Company from The Hague,
quoting telegrams received there from
the Austrian capital. The dispatch
says that Bulgaria and Turkey have
also decided to break olt relations with
the United Slates and that Holland
will probably look after Austrian in
terests in Washington and American
interests in Vienna.
No Word Here
Washington, D. C„ April 7. —Word
that the Austro-Hungarian Foreign
Office had placed passports at the dis
posal of the American embassy at
Vienna had not reached the Austrian
embassy her early to-day, according
to Prince Hohenlohe-Schlllingshorst,
one of the embassy attaches.
Report Is Denied
Washington, D. C„ April 7.—Minis
ter Panaretoff, of Bulgaria, said to
day he had received no instructions
from his government to break relations
with the United States and demand his
passports.
"I have no information that would
lead me to believe that Bulgnria de
sires to break with the United States,"
he said. "I sincerely hope that Euro
pean reports are untrue.'
&hf Star- jfridcpmbrul
CITY RALLYING
TO NEED OF U. S.
AS WAR STARTS
Polyclinic Hospital Will Be
Turned Over to Government
if Necessity Arises
The Harrisburg Polyclinic hospital.
Front and Harris streets, will be
turned over to the use of the Federal
Government in case of need. This
action was taken last night at the
regular meeting of the board of di
rectors of the hospital, when the fol
lowing resolution was passed unani
mously:
Resolved. That the secretary of the
board of directors of the Harrisburg
Polyclinic hospital be authorized to
inform the Federal Government that
the hospital, with its equipment and
grounds, be turned over to the Gov
ernment in case of need.
The hospital staff also pledged it
self to the Government. The mem
bers of the staff include. Drs. H.
[Continued on Page 3]
FIRST CALL WILL
AFFECT 8,000 IN
DAUPHIN COUNTY
That Number of Young Men
Between 19 and 25 Years '
to Be Summoned
j At least 8,000 men in Dauphin
county, between the ages of 19 and 25,
will be available for military service
if ordered to the colors, according to
an approximate estimate based on rec
ords at the County Commissioners'
office.
While the figures are not entirely
accurate, the estimate is based on a
proportionate division of the men list
ed on the military roll, ranging in age
from 21 to 4 5 years. This total Is
25,000.
County Commissioner Henry M.
Stine, In speaking of this military en
rollment which was made last fall,
said: "The military enrollment as
(Continued on I'agc II)
American Vice Consul
Arrested by Germans
By Associated I'ress
London, April 7.—Julius Van Hee,
American vice consul at Olient, arkl re
cently connected with the Belgian Re
lief Commission, has been arrested by
the Germans and sent to Germany, ac
cording to an Amsterdam dispatch to
the Exchange Telegraph Company. The
dispatch quotes a frontier correspond
ent as his authority
COUNTRY TO FACE
SHORT CROP OF
WHEAT THIS YEAR
Prospective Slump of 50,000,-
000 Bushels Is Seen in
1917 Harvest
Chicago, April 7. Accepting
wlicat crop conditions shown by
tlie government report as a calam
ity the wheat market here to-day
made sensational advances of
from 8% cents a bushel for May
options to 19% cents for Septem
ber. July advanced 12% cents.
May corn sold up 5% cents and
May oats i% cents.
Washington, D. C., April 7. —A pro
spective slump of more than 50,000,-
000 bushels In the winter wheat crop,
as compared with last year's crop,
is the first war-feeding problem to
confront the country. Official esti
mates of the Department of Agricul
ture to-day—the first for the 1917
(Continued on Page 11)
VALLEY RAILWAYS
IS WORKING ON
TERMINAL PLANS
Municipal League Suggestions
Being Followed Out by
Engineers
While not much is being: said re
garding the expert survey of the street
railway system of Harrisburg now un
der way, it is stated by those who are
familiar with what is going on that
a close investigation is being made to.
the end that there may be radical
changes for the improvement and ben
efit of the service. These changes
also contemplate the elimination of
difficulties resulting from the use of
the city lines by the Valley Railway*)
Company, whose cross-river cars fre-'
quenty block the section In Second
street between Walnut street and
Market Square.
Some time ago officials of the Harrls
burg and Valley Railways companies,
the City Planning Commission and the
Mifniclpßl League had a conference
with a view to adopting plans for the
Improvement of traffic conditions. As
a result of this conference the Munlci-
I Continued on Page S]
BRAZIT, SPIRiIT HIGH
Sao Pnulo, Brazil, April 7. Great
crowds paraded through the streets of
the city to-day, singing the national I
hymn and waving flags. The paradersj
gathered in front of the newspaper
offices, cheering for Brazil and the
allies. The crowds dispersed without
disorder after listening to patriotic!
speeches j
NAVAL POWER
IS MOBILIZED
FOR ACTION
Militia, Reserves and Coast Patrol Units Join Colors For Wat
on Germany; Second Day of War Finds Every Govern
ment Agency Working Along Preconceived Lines; Nation
May Have to Spend $500,000,000 For First Year's Work.
Washington, April 7.—The second day o£ war with Germany
found every government agency in action along predetermined lines,
with Congressional committees at work on the new army bill and
finance measures.
The Navy and its newly organized powerboat coast patrol
squadron was being mobilized; naval militia and naval reserves were
complying with orders to join the colors.
From many cities came word that United States marshals had
carried out orders of the Department of Justice for arrest of sixty
Germans whom the government believes it dangerous to allow at
large.
Officials had about determined to
Officials had about detemined to
use the German merchant ships, near
ly 100 of which have been seized, for
government service, though no an
nouncement was made whether they
would be confiscated or paid for at
the close of the war.
Government seizure of all radio sta
tions and the closing of all except
those needed for naval communica
tion was authorized by President Wil
son.
Both the War and Navy Depart
ments were arranging with contract
ors to furnish enormous quantities of
supplies; steel manufacturers agreed
to furnish the navy their product at
last year's prices, affecting an $18,000,-
000 saving in the navy's 1917 steel
bill; the Treasury Department devised
means of raising funds, subject to
Congressional authorization; and the
Department of Agriculture set forth
on a movement to increase and con
serve the nation's supply of foodstuffs
and to simplify distribution.
Many other similar activities were
I'*- <J 3AMA - DECLARE .WAK TO WGHT* '
New Vark, April 7. The Cuban congress, to-night is
expected to declare war on Germany according to a table
menage from E. S. private secretary to President
Menc..a! .
BRITISH LOSE 44 AIRPLANES
Berlin, April 7. -r- The entente allies yesterday lost 44
airplane on ne v . Uovt, >;> •: othuai ss-.-Uuient tc
, day by the army headquarters stiff. Five German Jirplane*
did not return from then air battle.
CANNON FIRE HEAVY ON FRENCH FRONT
. Paris, April 7. Violent cannonading went on during
last night on the French front, south of St. Quentin in the
i region of Dallon and Gruigies. German reconnotterint,
I forces caught undei the tire of French guns wree dispersed
RUMOR CARRANZAS FALL
El Paso, April 7. ~A rumor spread in El Paso last night
that a revolt had taken place in Mexico City and Genera!
Carranva had been imprisoned, but government official*.-
here said the rumor was without basis so far as they know.
PRESIDENT WILSON CONGRATULATED
Washington, April 7.—President Wilson to-day received
cablegrams fton; King Geoig* -A England and Kmg Vkto;
Emm nuel of !♦ dy congratulating the people and the gov-
I ernment of the United States o their entrance into the wur
l against Germany. , ,
TURKS MAY GO HOME
Washington, April 7.—lt v/a.s a/ade clar at the Turkiih
embassy here to-day that no surpritt would l -r. occasion
ed if instruction-, should be received to asa for passports
RUSSIANS WANT KAISER DETHRONED
Petrograd, April 7.-—Minister of Justice Kerensky uaii
in an interview to-day that if the German people wtjuld fo!
! low the' Russian example and dethrone their emperor, "we
offer the possibility of preliminary negotiations/'
I
EASTERMARRIAGfUCENSES 7
1 J;*roy A. Ilouwr, Mlddletown, and Mary Ellen Renicll, Grantham.
Truman B. Coble and Bather K. Ylngit, rower Swatarn towniblp.
1 Joaeph F. Holtaman, Steelton, nnd Annie A. Delbler, Kill Inner.
H^.,, * nibert Frnnk MlHerabur®, and Katherlne Pot User, Halifax
townnnlp.
j Raymond Dannrr and Clara Beck, Falrvletr townahlp. York rainlr.
Rimer Rumcll Nay lor, Mill Hall, and Kmlly I.yon WrlKkt, l.rwl.tonn.
Franklin FoKtu FlfKenl nn<l Clnrn Retnn l.oßfln, IlarrlNbura.
John lllnnlx Seott and Mildred Rne l(rr|rif)r. Harrlaburic.
Raymond Hubcr nnd Evn .Melln Snyder, Steelton.
John Chnrlea llrlnton, New Cumherlnnd, nnd Mary Janet Sllke, Hnr
rtabura.
Chnrlea Rimer Haaaler, Neacopeek, and Charlotte Catharine Kppler.
Maryavllle. "
Abe Franklin Fry and Mnry l.oulae I.erew, Nfw Freedom.
William Free Mell. Harrlaburit. nnd Snrnh F.llen Moody, York.
Herbert Iee Cable. Steelton. and Corn Mne Maraalra, Wllkea-Rarre.
F.lmer R. Kunkel, Harrlaburit, and Rebecca Jane Stoner, l.emoyne.
Single Copy, 2 Cents HOME EDITION
started after the cabinet's council of
war last night.
The House Military Committee met
to-day to hear Secretary Baker's ex
planation of the army general staff
bill to draft and train one million
young men within a year and the ac
companying three billion-dollar bud
get. all of which had President Wil
son's announced approval. The Sen
ate Military Committee also had tlio
army bill under consideration to-day.
Without congressional action, the
only thing the War Department can
do to Increase the nation's authorized
armed forces is to order the regular
army expanded to full war strength.
May Spend Vive Billion
It seemed likely to-day that a large
part of the war's cost, which for the
first year alone may run far above tho
$3,500,000,000 already asked of Con
gress, even to $5,000,000,000, will bo
raised by higher taxes on incomes, In
heritances and excess profits. An an
nouncement from Secretary McAdoo
on details of the $474,000,000 bond
[Continued on Page 20]